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Christina Cook Lee

Media Producer - Author - Blogger - Songwriter

Inspiration

Prayer

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Focus: Forgiving others

Matthew 6:9-13 (NKJV) Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done. On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

In the middle of the Lord’s Prayer, the meaning of one important sentence could be easily missed—if we’re just saying the words out of habit and not considering what we’re praying in all seriousness. The part that says, “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors”, is almost like a ‘trick question’ on a ‘pop quiz’. It’s that question way down at the end of a bunch of easy questions that could be taken two ways. If you’re not paying attention, you give an answer that seems obvious—but the answer you think is right—is not right. And when the papers are corrected—well, guess what? You got that one wrong.

As we continue to look at the prayer Jesus taught His disciples to pray, we certainly don’t want to miss a line as important as this one. This line has everything to do with whether our prayers will be answered—or not.

NOW, YOU CAN LISTEN AND/OR READ!

Because I want my ways to please God, I will forgive. --Christina Cook Lee, A Quest For New Strength
New Strength Devotional Inspirational Statement of the Day

It’s so typical to want our prayers to be answered—but not want the accountability that could make that wish come true. God has very definite issues with people who are not willing to forgive others. “Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors”, is really another way of saying what we refer to as the Golden Rule—which says, ‘Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.’

The Golden Rule is based on a few scriptures. Leviticus 19:18 (NKJV) says, “You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.” Jesus said in Matthew 7:12 (KJV), “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.” Another passage on the Golden Rule principle is found in Luke 10:25-28 (NIRV). “And one day an authority on the law stood up to put Jesus to the test. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to receive eternal life?” Jesus replied, “What is written in the Law? How do you understand it?” He answered, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. Love Him with all your strength and with all your mind (ref. Deuteronomy 6:5). And love your neighbor as you love yourself.” “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do that, and you will live.”

Jesus goes on to tell the parable of the Good Samaritan. At the end of the story, He provides the answer to the question, “Who is my neighbor?” by saying that ‘your neighbor’ is anyone who is in need.

Throughout scripture, we see that the Golden Rule philosophy applies to not only doing for others as we would want them to do for us—but also forgiving others if we expect to be forgiven ourselves.

In Matthew 18:22-35 (NKJV) Jesus tells another story. “Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made. The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, “Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.” Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt.”

“But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, “Pay me what you owe!” So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, “Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.” And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt.”

“So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done. Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, “You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?” And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him. “So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.”

Declaration: I will find new strength by accepting the truth Jesus spoke about God’s attitude toward those who don’t forgive others or do for others. I will stop excusing myself from being obedient to the Word. Because I want my ways will please God, I will forgive.

IF YOU SUBSCRIBE TO NEW STRENGTH, A NEW SEGMENT WILL COME TO YOUR EMAIL EACH DAY.

For music selections that will help bring hope and encouragement during your recovery from depression and addiction, https://www.youtube.com/user/NewStrengthMusic/playlists?sort=dd&view=1

All NEW STRENGTH posts are Copyright by Christina Cook Lee 2012. Please request permission to re-post or re-blog.

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Progress

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Focus: Invisible progress

Ecclesiastes 3:11(NKJV) He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end.

Some days you have to take it by faith that progress is being made. You can’t see the work God is doing and sometimes your advances might be invisible. During times like this, remember the rose.

You can’t see a rose bud open into a full-bloomed flower—but it happens. If you stood and watched it—you might not think anything was going on at all, but during the time you’re observing—movement and development are taking place. The movement and development are a miracle.

When you consider your progress in recovery, view it as your ‘life’s work’—a project you’ll keep working on for the rest of your life. This is about you. You’re the rose—and you’re unfolding day by day. You’re beautiful. You’re a work of art…a masterpiece made by God, Himself. There are layers and layers of beauty that will continue to get better and better.

NOW, YOU CAN LISTEN AND/OR READ!

New Strength, June 29
Link to New Strength Devotional, Audio Version
Screen Shot 2015-06-28 at 7.12.35 PM
New Strength Devotional Inspirational Statement of the Day

 

Your past is more like an onion. It has layers and layers, too. Whether you love onions or hate them, as you take an onion apart—you just cry.

There are so many beautiful possibilities ahead for you. You have learned so much that can be put to good use. You just need to keep believing in your God-given potential and remember not to get discouraged if you aren’t seeing what you’d like to see in terms of progress.

You have so much to gain by staying on your course. At a time like this, keep recalling what God has done for you. Don’t forget to count your blessings and bless the Lord.

God has forgiven all your sins. He heals all your sickness and diseases. He is the One who redeems your life from destruction. He constantly gives you the ability to patiently and joyfully endure your trials. He gives you His tender mercies, which are renewed each morning.

Many of the blessings of the Lord are invisible. You don’t know how many things He has saved you from that you didn’t even realize. When your situation isn’t as great as you’d like it to be, always remember—things could be worse. You may be more blessed than you think.

God has saved your life for a reason. Sometimes you think about your failures and wonder what kind of purpose your life could have. What could God possibly do with you now? But He has rescued you from literal destruction and is doing a painstaking work of restoration. He believes you are worth it. Even in your times of darkest despair—He didn’t give up on you. He was saving you at times when you couldn’t see it happening.

God put eternity in your heart. He gave you the very desire to want His ways. Psalm 103:17-18 says, “But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those that fear Him, and His righteousness with their children’s children—those who keep His covenant and remember to obey His precepts.”

The work God has done and is doing in you is an everlasting work that will outlive you. As you are faithful to put your trust in Him, God will keep His Word to you and those who come after you. This is about you—but it’s more than about you. God is using your recovery in your family members and the in the lives of those you touch, whether they are physically related to you or not. People are watching your progress and they are being affected by it.

Just because you don’t see the results—don’t think there aren’t any. It’s not for you to say whether progress has taken place on any given day—it is God’s doing and He is constantly creating. He is the all-creative, all becoming One. He doesn’t slumber or sleep. He is working on you twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.

Continue believing in the invisible things God is doing and keep knowing that He has begun a great work in you. He isn’t about to stop His work at any point from now on. He is going to keep working on you every single day, doing good things you can’t always see with your eyes.

Declaration: I will find new strength by trusting God when I can’t see the progress that is being made in my recovery. I will remember my life is like a rose to God. There are layers and layers of beauty that will keep getting better and better.

IF YOU SUBSCRIBE TO NEW STRENGTH, A NEW SEGMENT WILL COME TO YOUR EMAIL EACH DAY.

For music selections that will help bring hope and encouragement during your recovery from depression and addiction, https://www.youtube.com/user/NewStrengthMusic/playlists?sort=dd&view=1

All NEW STRENGTH posts are Copyright by Christina Cook Lee 2012. Please request permission to re-post or re-blog.

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Becoming what God wants

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Focus: Becoming empty

1 Corinthians 1:26-29 (NKJV) For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence.

‘Emptiness’ is a familiar feeling to anyone who is fighting depression or dependency. Loss can be the cause—but some have lived with a sense of ‘lack’ all of their lives, as though there was something left out of the recipe when they were created—and they were just never whole somehow.

Someone who struggles with that sense of loss doesn’t have far to go, if ‘becoming empty’ is the goal. Emptiness may be all you’ve ever known.

But why would anyone want to be empty? What is the benefit of emptiness?

NOW, YOU CAN LISTEN AND/OR READ!

What would you not be willing to lay down so that you could truly follow Jesus? --Christina Cook Lee, A Quest For New Strength
Link to New Strength Devotional, Audio Version.
What would you not be willing to lay down so that you could truly follow Jesus? --Christina Cook Lee, A Quest For New Strength
New Strength Devotional Inspirational Statement of the Day

 

‘Empty’ is what God wants us to be. If you are already empty—you may be a better candidate to be filled with the power of God than a person who is not empty. In fact, people who are filled with themselves and their own plans might have a pretty hard time knowing God at all—much less finding favor with Him.

There is a story in Matthew chapter 19 about a rich young ruler who came to Jesus wanting to know what he could do to have eternal life. Jesus said, “If you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.” The rich man said, “Which ones?” Jesus said, “You shall not murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, Honor your father and your mother, and You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” The young man said to Him, “All these things I have done since my youth. What do I still lack?” Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” But when the young man heard that—he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions (Matthew 19:16-22 paraphrased).

The thing that was standing between this man and his salvation was the fact that he was trusting in his wealth. He preferred having material riches to following Jesus. He held onto what he had, instead of choosing to lay it down. Because of his choice—he was a ‘loser’ on the largest scale. Jesus knew where the rich young ruler’s heart was.

The disciples Jesus called to follow Him from the first had to make some choices, too. We know these men were common, ordinary people who were accustomed to working. We aren’t told that any of the twelve original disciples were rulers—or wealthy. But none of them hesitated when Jesus invited them to follow Him.

So, you can see that a person who doesn’t have much to begin with, may have a heart that is more ready to ‘follow’ than someone who is all caught up in the world and with what they have accumulated.

God isn’t interested in our leadership potential or our bank account. What He wants is people who are lost and broken who want to be made whole by His power.

He wants the ones who are buckling under the load they have to carry and need someone stronger than they are, who will take over and carry their burdens for them.

He wants people who have come to the end of themselves and are ready to start over and do things His way.

He’s looking for people who are empty and want to be filled.

What are you filled with? Is there anything that stands in the way of you and emptiness? What would you not be willing to lay down so that you could truly follow Jesus?

Those are hard questions and there may not be easy answers. But it’s important for you to contemplate what the answers might be.

Jesus portrays Himself as One who stands at the door and knocks. He wants to come into your heart and live there. Are you empty enough to give Him some room?

Declaration: I will find new strength by becoming less, owning less, and doing less—so that He can ‘become more’ in me, ‘own more’ of me, and ‘do more’ of whatever He wants with me…

IF YOU SUBSCRIBE TO NEW STRENGTH, A NEW SEGMENT WILL COME TO YOUR EMAIL EACH DAY.

For music selections that will help bring hope and encouragement during your recovery from depression and addiction, https://www.youtube.com/user/NewStrengthMusic/playlists?sort=dd&view=1

All NEW STRENGTH posts are Copyright by Christina Cook Lee 2012. Please request permission to re-post or re-blog.

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Learning from our mistakes

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Focus: True love, compassion, and forgiveness

Proverbs 21:2 (NKJV) Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the hearts.

It’s hard to learn from a mistake—if we’re not willing to admit we made one. Not many of us set out to do the wrong thing, when we’re hoping for good results. Most people prefer to have others think they are smart rather than stupid. The same way we hope people will think we make good choices—not bad ones. But as much as we’d like to be right—sometimes we’re just wrong.

There is a very illustrious character in the Bible who is a perfect example of this. He was the first disciple chosen by Jesus and the one we probably know more about than any of the other disciples.

Peter would have easily won ‘drama king’ if there had been a superlative contest among the disciples. In addition, Peter would most likely have been dubbed ‘most outgoing’—as well as ‘most impulsive’, ‘fastest runner’, and ‘most outspoken’. Peter was typically a first responder whenever Jesus asked a question. Even though he was eager to answer—his answers often weren’t right—and Jesus had to correct him. In spite of his intentions, Peter didn’t always look as good as he meant to look. Yet, of all the disciples—Peter is the one Jesus called, ‘the rock’…upon which He would build His church.

In their final hours of togetherness before the crucifixion, Peter repeatedly and passionately pledged his allegiance to Jesus in front of the other disciples. A little later, when Jesus was taken into custody—all of the disciples scattered—but it was Peter who denied he even knew Jesus when he was questioned…not once, but three times in that one night.

Peter wanted to be more loyal and faithful than any of the others. He claimed he would stand by Jesus to the death—but when the situation turned ugly—he was just as chicken as the rest.

After Peter’s agony—his blunder becomes the perfect opportunity for Jesus to demonstrate true love, compassion, forgiveness, and restoration.

(read more below)

NOW, YOU CAN LISTEN AND/OR READ!

When I make a mistake I will be willing to admit I've been wrong and learn from it. --Christina Cook Lee, A Quest For Virtue
New Strength Devotional Inspirational Statement of the Day
When I make a mistake I will be willing to admit I've been wrong and learn from it. --Christina Cook Lee, A Quest For Virtue
Link to New Strength Devotional, Audio Version.

 

 

Within a couple of weeks after the time when Jesus was resurrected, Peter decides to go out fishing. Several of the other disciples decide they’ll go out in the boat with Peter, too. They fish all night and catch nothing. In the early morning light, someone calls from shore and asks if they’ve caught anything. They answer, “No.” The person on the shore tells them to try putting their net on the ‘right side’ of the boat. When they do—they aren’t even able to pull the net into the boat because there are so many fish in it. The disciple named John recognizes the voice of the person who has been talking to them from the shore. He says, “It is the Lord.”

With that information, Peter jumps out of the boat and into the water. He heads for shore as fast as he can go. He doesn’t want to be slowed down by the fish in the net and time it would take to get to shore in the boat. When the others arrive, they all discover that Jesus has prepared fresh bread and fish for them to eat.

After breakfast, Jesus asks Peter if he loves him three times. I like to think Jesus is giving Peter three chances to say he loves Him—to equal the number of times Peter had said he didn’t know Jesus before the crucifixion. Each time Peter says “Yes”, Jesus gives him an assignment. The assignments are, “Feed my lambs, Take care of my sheep, and Feed my sheep.”

By doing these things, Jesus is letting Peter know he is restored. He is giving Peter another chance to prove himself. Most importantly, Jesus is letting Peter know He hasn’t given up on him. He still wants Peter to build His church. He wants Peter to shepherd the new converts through to maturity in their faith. A long-term task and a real challenge for someone as impetuous as Peter.

Thirty or so years after Jesus ascended back into heaven—Peter had done a lot of preaching and suffering for his faith. He wrote some important letters to some of the followers of Christ he had shepherded—letters that are now considered ‘holy scripture’. In part of one letter, Peter encouraged people to be ‘patient and self-controlled’—admitting that someone who lacks these virtues is shortsighted and like someone who is blind.

Peter had to learn a lot of things the hard way. Although he messed up frequently when he was younger—Peter finished well. At the end of his life, he didn’t deny he knew Jesus—in fact, he was martyred for his faith.

Declaration: I will find new strength by following the instructions of Peter in 2 Peter chapter one. By exercising patience and self-control, I will make fewer mistakes. When I do make a mistake, I will be willing to admit I’ve been wrong and learn from it…and draw from the true love, compassion, forgiveness and restoration of the Lord.

IF YOU SUBSCRIBE TO NEW STRENGTH, A NEW SEGMENT WILL COME TO YOUR EMAIL EACH DAY.

For music selections that will help bring hope and encouragement during your recovery from depression and addiction, https://www.youtube.com/user/NewStrengthMusic/playlists?sort=dd&view=1

All NEW STRENGTH posts are Copyright by Christina Cook Lee 2012. Please request permission to re-post or re-blog.

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Building your faith

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Focus: Building your faith through prayer

Mark 11:22-24 (NKJV) So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God. For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.”

Prayer is a beautiful way to build your faith and strengthen your confidence that God hears you and loves you.

After I finally turned to the Lord as an adult, sometimes I had trouble believing He would really accept me—knowing how much I had failed. I knew scriptures about forgiveness and restoration, but it was hard for me to believe I really ‘belonged’, at times.

I wanted to believe—I just didn’t know how to believe. I know the enemy of my soul was busy feeding my mind with doubts about ‘certain sins’…and whether God would really forgive every sin I had committed. My faith just wasn’t all that strong, and I really didn’t know how to get over the feelings I struggled with.

One day, I was asking God how I would ever really know if He had completely forgiven me and if I was truly His. Right away, the thought came to me to ask for specific things in prayer—and when the specific prayer I had prayed was answered—I would know God had heard me.

Right after that, another thought came to my mind that was so simple but true. I had the picture in my mind of how good parents take care of their own children and make sure they have what they need, and so on. I felt God was trying to communicate to me that if I asked Him for something specific and my prayer was answered, it wasn’t just an answer to prayer—it was a sign that I was His child—because He doesn’t answer the prayers of those who don’t belong to Him.

(read more below)

NOW, YOU CAN LISTEN AND/OR READ!

No matter how difficult something may seem to you--God can help. --Christina Cook Lee, A Quest For New Strength
Link to New Strength Devotional, Audio Version.
No matter how difficult something may seem to you--God can help. --Christina Cook Lee, A Quest For New Strength
New Strength Devotional Inspirational Statement of the Day

 

 

Through a series of prayers I prayed that were extremely specific, God definitely proved He heard my prayers. As I asked and He answered—my faith grew and grew. Through prayer, I came to believe not only that I was forgiven, but that I was truly His child.

I needed the assurance of forgiveness more than anything I might have prayed for. None of the specific things I asked for were necessities. Some of them might have even been frivolous—but what I was asking for wasn’t the important thing and God knew it. It was the fact that what I was asking was something only God knew. When He answered—the excitement I felt was because He heard me. The fact He heard me meant more to me than what He did for me, by far.

Since that time, I have received many specific answers to prayer…ranging from crazy little things—to all out miracles. I know without a doubt God has restored me and that I’m His. What He has done for me has strengthened my faith so much that now I am able to bring encouragement to others who may have doubts about their own true relationship with God and their faith.

I seriously doubt you have done anything that I haven’t done. I was overwhelmed with guilt and shame for so long. I spent much of my time wondering how in the world I could have gone so far and fallen so short of what God had probably hoped I would be.

When we are willing to use what the enemy of our soul intended for evil—for God’s glory—it helps turn the wasteland we created into a watered garden. If someone else is able to receive their restoration because of the extent of our failures—then everything turns out good, after all—and the victory is multiplied.

If you feel like your faith isn’t as strong as it should be—pray specifically. If you wonder sometimes whether you are eternally ‘lost’ because of your own failures—pray specifically. God wants you to know His grace is sufficient for all of your sin. He doesn’t want any of us to continue sinning—He wants us to love Him more than we love to sin.

The Lord really wants to help us believe. He wants our faith in Him to grow. He is able to relate to each of us on our own level—in relevant ways. If you are still under bondage to sins that you haven’t been able to stop, or haven’t wanted to stop—God can help you have the desire to turn from those things. All you have to do is ask Him to give you the desire. There is nothing too hard for God. No matter how difficult something may seem to you—He can help.

Declaration: I will find new strength by asking God to increase my faith through answered prayer. As I pray specifically—and He answers specifically—I will know He hears my prayers–and that I am truly His.

https://youtu.be/nohw_v3Ap3M

IF YOU SUBSCRIBE TO NEW STRENGTH, A NEW SEGMENT WILL COME TO YOUR EMAIL EACH DAY.

For music selections that will help bring hope and encouragement during your recovery from depression and addiction, https://www.youtube.com/user/NewStrengthMusic/playlists?sort=dd&view=1

All NEW STRENGTH posts are Copyright by Christina Cook Lee 2012. Please request permission to re-post or re-blog.

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Building your faith

By Leave a Comment

Focus: Building your faith through prayer

Mark 11:22-24 (NKJV) So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God. For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.”

Prayer is a beautiful way to build your faith and strengthen your confidence that God hears you and loves you.

After I finally turned to the Lord as an adult, sometimes I had trouble believing He would really accept me—knowing how much I had failed. I knew scriptures about forgiveness and restoration, but it was hard for me to believe I really ‘belonged’, at times.

I wanted to believe—I just didn’t know how to believe. I know the enemy of my soul was busy feeding my mind with doubts about ‘certain sins’…and whether God would really forgive every sin I had committed. My faith just wasn’t all that strong, and I really didn’t know how to get over the feelings I struggled with.

One day, I was asking God how I would ever really know if He had completely forgiven me and if I was truly His. Right away, the thought came to me to ask for specific things in prayer—and when the specific prayer I had prayed was answered—I would know God had heard me.

Right after that, another thought came to my mind that was so simple but true. I had the picture in my mind of how good parents take care of their own children and make sure they have what they need, and so on. I felt God was trying to communicate to me that if I asked Him for something specific and my prayer was answered, it wasn’t just an answer to prayer—it was a sign that I was His child—because He doesn’t answer the prayers of those who don’t belong to Him.

(read more below)

NOW, YOU CAN LISTEN AND/OR READ!

No matter how difficult something may seem to you--God can help. --Christina Cook Lee, A Quest For New Strength
Link to New Strength Devotional, Audio Version.
No matter how difficult something may seem to you--God can help. --Christina Cook Lee, A Quest For New Strength
New Strength Devotional Inspirational Statement of the Day

 

 

Through a series of prayers I prayed that were extremely specific, God definitely proved He heard my prayers. As I asked and He answered—my faith grew and grew. Through prayer, I came to believe not only that I was forgiven, but that I was truly His child.

I needed the assurance of forgiveness more than anything I might have prayed for. None of the specific things I asked for were necessities. Some of them might have even been frivolous—but what I was asking for wasn’t the important thing and God knew it. It was the fact that what I was asking was something only God knew. When He answered—the excitement I felt was because He heard me. The fact He heard me meant more to me than what He did for me, by far.

Since that time, I have received many specific answers to prayer…ranging from crazy little things—to all out miracles. I know without a doubt God has restored me and that I’m His. What He has done for me has strengthened my faith so much that now I am able to bring encouragement to others who may have doubts about their own true relationship with God and their faith.

I seriously doubt you have done anything that I haven’t done. I was overwhelmed with guilt and shame for so long. I spent much of my time wondering how in the world I could have gone so far and fallen so short of what God had probably hoped I would be.

When we are willing to use what the enemy of our soul intended for evil—for God’s glory—it helps turn the wasteland we created into a watered garden. If someone else is able to receive their restoration because of the extent of our failures—then everything turns out good, after all—and the victory is multiplied.

If you feel like your faith isn’t as strong as it should be—pray specifically. If you wonder sometimes whether you are eternally ‘lost’ because of your own failures—pray specifically. God wants you to know His grace is sufficient for all of your sin. He doesn’t want any of us to continue sinning—He wants us to love Him more than we love to sin.

The Lord really wants to help us believe. He wants our faith in Him to grow. He is able to relate to each of us on our own level—in relevant ways. If you are still under bondage to sins that you haven’t been able to stop, or haven’t wanted to stop—God can help you have the desire to turn from those things. All you have to do is ask Him to give you the desire. There is nothing too hard for God. No matter how difficult something may seem to you—He can help.

Declaration: I will find new strength by asking God to increase my faith through answered prayer. As I pray specifically—and He answers specifically—I will know He hears my prayers–and that I am truly His.

https://youtu.be/nohw_v3Ap3M

IF YOU SUBSCRIBE TO NEW STRENGTH, A NEW SEGMENT WILL COME TO YOUR EMAIL EACH DAY.

For music selections that will help bring hope and encouragement during your recovery from depression and addiction, https://www.youtube.com/user/NewStrengthMusic/playlists?sort=dd&view=1

All NEW STRENGTH posts are Copyright by Christina Cook Lee 2012. Please request permission to re-post or re-blog.

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